Azerbaijan moves to elevate status of WUF13 as preparations intensify PHOTO

Azerbaijan has proposed raising the status of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), as preparations continue ahead of the major UN-Habitat event scheduled to take place in Baku.

Speaking at an event organised by the Azerbaijani Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, as part of the Year of Urban Planning and Architecture in Azerbaijan, Gulshan Rzayeva, Deputy Head of the Staff of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, Deputy National Coordinator of WUF13, said that the outcomes of WUF13 will be included in a report for a high-level meeting in New York, as well as in a report by the UN Secretary-General to be presented in September, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

“In this regard, the government of Azerbaijan has proposed to elevate the status of the forum,” Rzayeva said, noting that although WUF is not a legislative platform, it will include meetings and statements by leaders, reflecting political will to advance inclusive, sustainable, and human-centred urban development.

She added that the WUF13 program will include more than 40 sessions and over 350 partner events, emphasising that “Baku is now almost ready to welcome participants from around the world.”

Rzayeva stressed that urban development is a critical field with direct impact on economic growth, job creation, innovation, and technological progress, while also noting that rapid urbanisation brings significant climate-related challenges.

“Therefore, WUF is not only about urban planning. It will also address climate integration, the impact of climate change on cities, and cities’ own environmental footprint,” she said.

She highlighted the role of science in the forum, noting that academic roundtables will be part of the main program, aimed at sharing best practices and addressing key challenges, including housing.

Rzayeva added that preparations are in the final stage, with all venues ready and equipped for both in-person and hybrid participation.

She also said Azerbaijan will present several new initiatives at the forum, which is especially significant as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the New Urban Agenda, making WUF13 a mid-term review platform.

A representative of UN-Habitat, Hamza Berrouane, also said that the ministerial meeting at WUF13 will set priorities for the next decade.

He noted that the forum will introduce three new formats, including a ministerial meeting on the New Urban Agenda, a WUF Practices Hub showcasing scalable solutions, and a WUF Academy featuring new educational programs.

Berrouane added that six high-level dialogues will focus on issues such as the global housing crisis, informal settlements, post-crisis reconstruction, climate and housing links, socio-economic aspects of housing, and financing models for affordable housing.

He said WUF13 is expected to bring together more than 25,000 participants, making it a key global platform for partnership building.

By Jeyhun Aghazada